Decision details

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, presented the report which outlined an innovative support service to provide a transitional home for 8 young Bury adults with Learning Disabilities and/or autism, aged 18-25 years. It was noted that this was pending a procurement outcome and if the result was over the £500,000 threshold it would come back to Cabinet for final approval.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved the Procurement of a Care Provider for 18-20 St Marys Place Bury either:

i)             via a Teckal exemption; or

ii)            An Invitation to Tender to the open market (if needed)

2.    Delegated the approval for the 4 year contract award (with an option to extend for another 2 years) to the Executive Director of Health and Adult Care, to be awarded. Procurement route to be confirmed in due course;

3.    Delegated approval for the 2-year extension of the contract, if required, of the chosen Care Provider to the Executive Director of Health and Adult Care; and

4.    Noted that the proposed contract will be funded using Bury’s Adult Social Care Community Care budget.

Reasons for the decision:

This innovative support scheme offers a transitional living service for young adults with Learning Disability aged 18-25 years. The potential for cost savings/cost avoidance has been demonstrated. The scheme offers 8 units towards our corporate and ASC housing commitments and supports our ‘Let’s Do It’ strategy in offering an opportunity for people to live locally, independently, and with choice.

Other options considered and rejected:

·         Option 1: Not to proceed with the scheme

·         The impact of this will mean young adults continue to be placed out of borough and/or in more expensive placements. This accommodation and model of care (including follow-up support to prevent escalation of crisis/ challenging behaviour), follows best practice. Not to proceed with the scheme would be a missed opportunity to:

o   pilot a new transitional offer for young adults

o   contribute towards our ASC housing targets, which provide people with learning disabilities the chance to live locally, independently, with choice

o   save and prevent costs compared to people living independently/placing young people in expensive out of borough placements.

·         Option 1 was therefore rejected.

·         Option 2: To proceed with the scheme using an alternative property/landlord

·         This scheme was brought to our attention by the property developer Mortimer, Mortimer and Mortimer Ltd. ASC operational professionals and commissioning staff viewed the property for suitability. All agreed the property as suitable for this type of service. The property developer and vendor have been very supportive in the current fast-paced housing market.

·         Option 2 was therefore rejected.